Maintaining the Ties with Non-Muslim Parents

Asma bint Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhum) said: My mother came to me while she was still a polytheist, so I asked the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), “My mother, who is ill-disposed to Islam, has come to visit me. Shall I maintain relations with her?” He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) replied, “Yes, maintain relations with your mother.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary:

The woman mentioned in this Hadith had come from Makkah to Al-Madinah. What this Hadith signifies is that it is essential to be kind to parents even if they are Mushrikun (polytheists) and Kuffar (disbelievers). This has also been clearly ordained in the Noble Qur’an: ”… but behave with them in the world kindly.” (31:15).